John Prine

John Prine

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John Prine And His Famous Friends Are "Knockin' On Your Screen Door"

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Joined by Dan Auerbach, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and Sturgill Simpson, he's introducing himself all over again
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 10, 2018 - 4:16 pm

Legendary folk artist and multiple GRAMMY winner John Prine released The Tree Of Forgiveness this past April, his first album of original compositions since 2005's Fair & Square, which won Best Contemporary Folk Album at the 48th GRAMMY Awards. On July 10, joined by some exceptional guests, Prine released a video for the first track, "Knockin' On Your Screen Door." A new generation of listeners just might answer that summertime call.

His knock-knock is distinctively set in Nashville and his band includes GRAMMY winners Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, and Sturgill Simpson, as well as Elizabeth Cook and Margo Price. Favorite Nashville spots incorporated as settings include Arnold's Country Kitchen, Ernest Tubb Record Shop and the Station Inn. Altogether the warm feelings are "down home" and inviting.

John Prine, Sturgill Simpson On Songwriting's Myst

With just a couple more U.S. dates this month, Prine's summer will take him abroad in August for a European tour, but he'll be back in fall. As announced on July 9, joined by Simpson, Prine will be ringing in the New Year at the Grand Ole Opry.

"I'm basically doing the same thing I've been doing over the years," Prine said in an interview with The Tennessean. "Maybe people finally caught on to it."

The paper, a version of which began publishing in Nashville in 1812, dubbed him "the godfather of the exploding Americana music scene." The way Simpson put it to their writer was, "John Prine is the coolest person in the room and he always has been."

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Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Photo: Gary Miller/Getty Images

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Willie Nelson's Outlaw Music Festival 2018 Sets Los Angeles Finale

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Phil Lesh, Lukas Nelson, Particle Kid, Margo Price, and Sturgill Simpson will bring the tour to a big close at the Hollywood Bowl in October
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Jul 31, 2018 - 2:23 pm

The Outlaw Music Festival 2018 tour presents changing lineups led by Willie Nelson & Family. The festival began in 2016 and first went cross-country in 2017 and has extended its second leg through an Oct. 21 finale at the Hollywood Bowl. Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real have been along for the ride and will be there with Particle Kid, Margo Price and Sturgill Simpson. Appearing at Outlaw for the first time, Phil Lesh of Grateful Dead fame will be headlining for a unique presentation of old masters along with the young journeymen and women rising in stature.

"Willie is so American, you know, in the finest sense. Classic," said Lesh. "I've hoped to get back on the stage with him again for a long time now."

"I'm excited to play the Bowl with my old pal, Phil Lesh," said Nelson. "I'm sure there will be some magical music moments for all the fans."

In our exclusive Newport Folk Fest interview with Lukas Nelson, Willie's son spoke of the energy cycle connecting the younger generation with greats such as Neil Young who are able to teach them so much.  "It's like as we learn more and we grow, then we give him energy at the same time," said Lukas. "People in the audience can feel that too I think, and they get caught up in the cycle."

In addition to meaningful musical moments, every stop on the Outlaw tour features local cuisine, beers and crafts, celebrating regional culture. In Southern California, some new artisanal discoveries are bound to add to this one-of-a-kind event.

Tickets go on sale on Aug. 4 for the chance to catch the traveling fest in Los Angeles.

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Jerry Douglas

Jerry Douglas

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Americana Legends Coming To Nashville's September Festival

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First announcement of Americana performances includes Brandy Clark, Jerry Douglas, Tommy Emmanuel, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, John Oates, and Lee Ann Womack
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Apr 19, 2018 - 1:46 pm

On Sept. 11–16, the Americana Music Association and the city of Nashville will be hosting the 19th annual AmericanaFest: The Americana Music Festival & Conference. The organization announced the first 74 artists participating in this year's festivities — including GRAMMY winners John Carter Cash, Jerry Douglas, The Earls of Leicester, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Lee Ann Womack — 200 more artist announcements are promised soon. GRAMMY nominees expected to perform at the festival this fall include Brandy Clark, Tommy Emmanuel and John Oates.

The associated Americana Honors & Awards will be held on Sept. 12 at the Ryman Auditorium, and hundreds of performances will take place across Nashville's many beloved and historic music venues. Headline names such as American Aquarium, Drivin N Cryin, Alejandro Escovedo, Mary Gauthier, Ron Pope, and Joe Purdy are all well regarded exemplars of this growing genre that celebrates and displays its deep roots and profound ability to haunt the imagination.

It's a good thing Nashville has proven its ability to host all that talent, but attendees should be prepared to be not only overwhelmed, but also uplifted and inspired by how much the Americana community cares.

For instance, Jerry Douglas donated his time to meet with lawmakers about creators' rights as part of GRAMMYs on the Hill on April 18. The acknowledged master of the dobro has 14 GRAMMY wins. His most recent was at the 57th GRAMMY Awards as part of the the band lineup on the Earls of Leicester's 2014 self-titled debut album.

Also, on April 24, Lee Ann Womack's Nashville performance at A.J.'s Good Time Bar is raising funds for MusiCares, helping to deliver vital assistance and services to musicians in need.

At a recent visit to Recording Academy headquarters, Brandy Clark sat down for our One Take rapid-fire questions and shared that her favorite place to eat in Nashville is Monell's. Like the lineup for AmericanaFest, there is a lot to choose from, many of the choices are historic, and it seems reasonable to anticipate having a very good time.

AmericanaFest 2017 drew more than 50,000 aggregate attendees to its 500 performances. Festival wristband and conference registration sales are online at AmericanaMusic.org.

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ASCAP Logo

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ASCAP Makes Disaster Relief Donation To MusiCares

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Donation will help music community members most affected by the fires
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 27, 2018 - 11:59 am

Performing rights organization ASCAP announced on Dec. 18 that it is donating to MusiCares to support music's creators including those "affected by the recent wildfires in northern and southern California" needing help with food, shelter and replacement of instruments or equipment.

"We are truly grateful for the support and ongoing partnership of ASCAP," said Recording Academy and MusiCares President/CEO Neil Portnow. "Their work on behalf of music people is vital, and their generosity to the music community is equally strong. This donation demonstrates how the music industry works together to take care of their own."

"We have all been stunned by the devastation caused by the California fires and the heartache and loss suffered by our members who reside there," said ASCAP Chairman of the Board and President Paul Williams, winner of three GRAMMY awards as a songwriter. "ASCAP has always been an advocate for music creators, and faced with these terrible circumstances, we have their backs. We are pleased to work with MusiCares to get help to those who need it most."

Members may make disaster relief requests by contacting MusiCares toll-free at 1.800.687.4227.

For those wishing to donate, the "Gift Designation" choice at MusiCares' donation page offers "Disaster Relief" as a selection.

"The music community knows that it can turn to MusiCares in times of distress," said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. "They have the organization and the infrastructure necessary to respond to these horrible events and help members of the music community in times of need. We're glad to work with MusiCares once again to ensure that our funds reach the people most affected by the fires."

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Alabama

Alabama, 1983

Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage

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Alabama Sets Dozens Of Dates In 2019 For Their 50th Anniversary Tour

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Always fresh, the iconic country band has more to show their three generations of fans
Philip Merrill
GRAMMYs
Dec 17, 2018 - 1:35 pm

Country cousins Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen grew up on separate cotton farms in Lookout Mountain, Alabama, singing in church together as well as studying guitar. On July 4, 1969 they visited another cousin, Jeff Cook, and began their phenomenal ascent as the singing/songwriting country band Alabama. Nearly five decades later, beginning Jan. 10, 2019 in Detroit, Mich., the trio embark on their 50th Anniversary Tour.

"It seems only a few days ago, but on the fourth of the July, it will be 50 years since me and Teddy went walking into Jeff's little house," Owen told the Tennessean. "We picked a little bit and we sang a song I'd written and we thought, 'Wow, that's pretty good.'"

Unfortunately, Cook's battle with Parkinson's is expected to interfere unpredictably with some of their 27 dates announced so far. But three separate musicians — a guitarist, a violinist and a singer — are on call to fill in for Cook on days he's unable to perform.

On June 6, 2019 the band returns to Myrtle Beach, S.C. to play the Carolina Country Music Festival.

"We never thought playing for tips at the Bowery in Myrtle Beach, S.C., that 50 years later we would still [be] playing arenas, stadiums and festivals," said Owen, quoted in Rolling Stone. "We are finding out that we are playing to three generations of fans who have followed us and our music."

Their indie debut album, Wild Country, was released in 1976 and their major-label, self-titled debut came out in 1980 on RCA. After placing 30 albums on the Billboard 200 charts, the trio's most recent release, Southern Drawl, reached No. 14 in Oct., 2015. Their pop crossover success through the 1980s proved that a country group could sing, write their own songs and perform their own music live — like the rock bands were doing.

In the category Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal, Alabama's two GRAMMY wins were for "Mountain Music" at the 25th GRAMMY Awards and for "The Closer You Get..." at the 26th GRAMMY Awards.

Tickets are on sale at the band's website. So far Sept. 14, 2019 in Peoria, Ill. is their final show, but additional dates are expected to be announced.

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